Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/87421
Pave the Way to Success with iPad Apps in the position of having to "sell" a new way of doing things to a population that was perfectly happy with the old way. iPad technology hits a sweet spot, generating excitement and curiosity among lawyers. Any reasonably tech-savvy librarian has the skills and experience to be their guide as tablets find their niche in law firms. I think I also gained some respect from both attorneys and my management peers by taking on the role of iPad guru. I may have hit the "iPad revolution" early enough that there wasn't yet much competition for the role, but iPads were a place where most people, including lawyers, were happy to let me be the expert. Developing that rapport has been very helpful to me in all aspects of managing the library. Working with iPads has also been fun. While I generally don't get too caught up in the frenzy surrounding the release of shiny new gadgets, but once in a while it is fun to ride the wave of a genuine technological shift. The combination of taking a deep dive into an area that was new to me, writing about it in a way that was useful and engaging, and connecting with an interested audience was very satisfying and energizing. Getting Started If you're interested in trying out a similar endeavor in your own organization, here's my advice. • It's great to be able to do this on a large scale, but if that's not an option, try starting small. One approach would be to identify iPad users in your firm and find out what kind of help they need. Write something just for them. • People love swag, especially tech swag. Use it once in a while to encourage questions, ideas or user- submitted tips. My biggest hit was some iPad stylus pens I got from vendors to use as giveaways. • If you decide to write tips, find a voice that will work in your firm culture but that still feels authentic to you. Professional doesn't mean devoid of personality; your writing should reflect who you are. Think about the blogs or columns you read regularly, the ones that you connect with and that you trust. It's likely that the writer's voice and personality are a significant part of what draws you in and keeps you coming back. • Take on the highest level of autonomy that your firm will give you and that you're comfortable with. Some topics will require that you check with colleagues in other departments. Consult with IT before writing about an app that has network security implications, get the facts on your firm's policy about reimbursement for 3G coverage before explaining how to sign up for an international data plan, etc. As much as possible, avoid writing by committee. • Don't be put off by the idea that you'll have a hard time coming up with topics. There are plenty of resources out there you can use to stay up to date and to get ideas. A number of legal blogs focus on iPhones and iPads. The four I tend to refer to the most are: • iPhone J.D. www.iphonejd.com • iPad 4 Lawyers www.ipad4lawyers.squarespace.com • TabletLegal www.tabletlegal.com • Court Technology and Trial Presentation www.trial-technology.blogspot.com • Nonlegal blogs can be great resources as well, including: • Lifehacker www.lifehacker.com • App Advice www.appadvice.com • TUAW (The Unofficial Apple Weblog) www.tuaw.com • Pogue's Posts http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com AALL/ILTA White Paper 63